CCS ARCHITECTURE

We have enjoyed working with CCS Architecture on both residential and commercial projects, and celebrate each time we see their award winning designs featured in the pages of the finest industry publications. It is with great pride that we proclaim to have been specified on several occasions by the architectural professionals at CCS!

Cass Calder Smith worked happy magic as he reconfigured our condo in a historic loft conversion building in San Francisco. Cass and his superb team changed our apartment from a muddled, barely-combined pair of units into the grand and exciting space it is today. Veterans of a number of down-to-the-studs remodels, we vote this effort as the very best ever. The entire project was collaborative, exciting, creative – and fun. After five years, people still walk through the door and say, “Wow”. We do too. Thanks, CCS.

Dear Houzz Community, I am writing to share my outstanding experiences working with CCS Architecture on the renovation of my home. My project has a considerable level of complication. I am in the process of modernizing an historic residence while doubling the square footage. Cass Smith and Bjorn Steudte, as the project architect, have been irreplaceable on this project. Over the past year and a half I have relied on their well-connected and experience-driven navigation of SF permitting system to successfully guide me through an historic evaluation and amicable agreement by the San Francisco Landmark’s Board, a neighborhood discretionary review, and my own vacillation on the exact scope and goals of the project. Cass and Bjorn have displayed unwavering patience with me. Their respectful manner and knowledge of the systems and processes have provided me with the plans I had hoped for with the support of the neighborhood and the city. Despite the wealth of knowledge, experience, and great design aesthetic at CCS, I have found that everyone involved in my project has been supportive of my vision. This has been a truly collaborative process and the outcome has been phenomenal. In order to accurately project and successfully manage the cost of this project I wanted to determine materials and construction details in advance of starting the contractor bid process. With the creative design, sophisticated direction and thorough planning of Barbara Turpin-Vickroy of CCS, we were able to supply potential contractors with a masterful bid set. When I put my project out to bid to several contractors, I heard multiple times that the bid set supplied to them by CCS was the most detailed and comprehensive set they had ever received. Working with the cooperative team at CCS has made what could be a stressful project a very enjoyable and creative endeavor. Having a dedicated, organized, disciplined, and talented organization overseeing this venture has made renovation a joy. I would never embark on a renovation without the support of CCS. Sincerely, Amanda Clarke

We worked with CCS to create our destination restaurant, firefly grill, in Effingham Illinois. Guests are shocked when they pull in and see our beautiful building. Beyond aesthetics, firefly's design is extremely functional and encapsulates our vision. We are so confident in CCS and enjoy working with them so much that we have reengaged their services to design our dream home.

Working with CCS has been one of the best professional experiences for our firm. Cass and his team bring a creative and collaborative approach to building remarkable homes. I look forward to our next project!

Overall a very good experience. CCS Architecture was asked to collaborate on a restaurant project in Sausalito. The historical building had its set of challenges, with obtuse angles and compound curves, we made the best of what we had and the final product is amazing! A real asset to the community.

Cass Calder Smith has designed numerous remodels for me. I am a contractor/REALTOR in San Francisco. CCS Architecture is thorough, creative and well versed on local building codes. As you can see in the photos of their projects, they do excellent work and they are great to work with.

Cass is an artist. He produces outstanding work in collaboration with clients. Just make sure the supporting associate is a good one.

I hired Cass of CCS to have done a couple of projects, one was in SF to provide ideas and design for my second bedroom; and the other one was where I live now, my apartment in Manhattan: (1) In SF, the second bed room - it needed some thoughts with an empty open space - windows were floor to ceiling total glass windows. I needed help enjoy my 2nd bedroom. Cass came and helped make assessment. And we ended up having him design a bed custom-made for the room. I was pleased with the idea - the bed was functional (with storage space - drawers and shelves built-in; and the bed was positioned facing towards the window to take advantage of the total open view and skyline of SF Russian Hill from this room. (2) Later, in Manhattan, I bought a studio, but I wanted to live and enjoy comfortably in a very small space that needed to maximize every inch of the space inside the apartment. Cass helped design converting a studio into sleeping alcove (semi-bedroom) - all customer-made bed/alcove, maximum closets/storage space along with library and shelves for art work - a true mini-home!!! Cass' work has very clean lines - simplicity with maximized functionality. It is exactly what I love. I know well that comparing with his many other projects at CCS, larger projects, mine were rather small, but all detailed attention was still much required, as much as big projects. He has great patience and interest in designing my visions with his talent: He paid great attention to my projects, even thought they were not mega projects. He was interested in listening and brain-storming ideas. I love working with Cass and I love his work. I have been enjoying the great results and products for years. I'd recommend him to any one who wants a fantastic and beautiful design done. SH 07/30/2013

CCS Architecture was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. The entire team approached the project proactively with positive expertise and realistic outcome. Their thoroughness in the planning stage really helped manage expectations and set the stage for a seamless renovation. The CCS firm's level of excellence and commitment to both the client and the project's integrity resulted in a beautifully designed livable space. Looking forward to the next project!

Cass Calder Smith and his team were absolutely wonderful, especially looking back on the experience after living in our dream home for the last four years. The design process was great fun, as we offered ideas and photos and books and Cass threw back sketches and improvements and new concepts. During construction, the house exceeded our expectations as it emerged in three dimensions. But what was most impressive was the commitment to quality that CCS brought to the job. Even late in the game, after many architects might have lost interest, Cass continued to obsess over the smallest details.

I have involved CCS architecture for 2 of my home remodels and my medical office remodel. CCS defines professionalism in my view. They are superb, high quality, on time and on budget.